String of beads having plural rows with differently oriented bores

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional string of beads using a plurality of at least six cords. The cords are paired and the cords of each pair are criss-crossed in a run through opposite ends of respective beads having horizontally oriented passages. Cords emerging from confronting ends of adjacent ones of the first beads are then paired and the pairs run through respective beads having vertically oriented passages. The steps are repeated as desired. A stand for carrying out the stringing is also disclosed.

United States Patent 1191 Powell, Jr.

[ STRING 0F BEADS HAVING PLURAL ROWS WITH DIFFERENTLY ORIENTED BORES [76] Inventor: Edgar S. Powell, Jr., 7834 E.

Northland Drive, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85251 I 221 Filed: 'Junel0, 1971 211 App]. No.: 151,982

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 831L565, June 9. 1969, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl. 63/2 [51] Int. Cl......- A44c 25/00 [58] Field of Search 63/2, 1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,771,278 7/1930 Weiner 63/2 x [45] July 3,1973 1 2,23l,485 2/1941 Straight et a1. 63/2 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 585,747 12/1924 France 63/2 689,745 6/1930 France 63/2 Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay An rney- -Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow & Garrett ABSTRACT V I A three-dimensional string of beads using a plurality of at least six cords. The cords are paired and the cords of each pair are 'criss-crossed in a run through opposite ends of respective beads having horizontally oriented passages. Cords emerging from confronting ends of adjacent ones of the first beads are then paired and the pairs run through respective beads having vertically oriented passages. The steps are repeated as desired. A stand for carrying out the stringing is also disclosed;

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJuL3 ms 3.742.730 I saw 2 or 2 nwsn'rol EDGAR S POWELL, JR.

ATTORNEYS J ndqson I The invention herein relates to the threading of beads and more particularly to the method for doing so and including means for conveniently practicing the method and the product resulting therefrom.

To avoid confusion in terminology, cord will be used for the material on which the beads are threaded,

1969, now U.S. Pat. No I thread or threading used for the act of placing the beads on the cord, and string will be used with reference to the finished product. Additionally considering the passage through a bead as the reference point, the cords are defined as being in a horizontal criss-crossed run when the passage through the head is horizontally oriented, and as being in a vertical parallel run when the bead passage is vertically oriented.

More specifically, the method basically contemplates the utilization of an even number of cords, not less than six, joined at one end; preferably passed through one bead; and then radially spread and angularly spaced apart from the knot or head, as the center point. Thereafter a first pair of adjacent cords is criss-crossed through a bead, followed by the second pair through a second bead, followed by the third pair through a third bead. The next step is to pass the re-paired cords emerging from adjacent and facing horizontal bead ends, vertically through a bead followed by the next or second pair vertically through a second bead, and the thrid pair vertically through a third bead.

The above sequence of horizontal criss-crossing runs and vertical parallelingruns is then repeated until a string or desired length is completed, and finally all cords are passed through one bead and tied into a knot. The result is a string which has a three dimensional appearance, substantially triangular when six cords are used, rectangular when eight cords are used, pentagonal when 10 cords'are used, with the shape being dependent upon the number of cords.

In carrying out the method a stand is utilized to permit the knotted end of the cords to be centrally suspended with the cords extending radially and angularly spaced about a collar member. In this manner successive pairs of cords may be easily selected.

The stand generally comprises a table top provided From the foregoing it is seen that the object of the invention is to produce a string of beads having a three dimensional characteristic and the method for readily producing such strings.

A further object is a stand for utilization with the method whereby the latter may be readily practiced.

A further object is a stand which may be readily folded for packing, storing or the like.

A still further object is a string of beads having increased strength as two c'ords pass through each bead.

The foregoing and other objects and the advantages will become apparent from the description when read in view of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stand with-the cords positioned for practicing the method;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 isa view illustrating the method;

FIG. 4 is a portion of a string whensix cords are used, and

FIG. 5 is a portion of a string when eight cords are used.

Referring to the drawings the stand 10 includes a table top 12 which may be of any shape but is preferably circular andprovided with a central circular opening 14. The table top upper surface and outer periphery is preferably covered with cloth or other soft material 16 for reasons hereafter explained. Surrounding the opening 14 and secured to table top 12 in any suitable manner is a cushion collar 18, which in the embodiment illustrated is a ring of styrofoam into which needles 28 may be repeatedly inserted and removed.

The table top 12 is shown as supported by a plurality of legs 20, which may be secured to the underside of the top in any suitable manner, preferably being foldable and locked in vertical position in a manner similar to the folding legs on any conventional bridge table. It should be apparent that any means may be used to support the table top at the desired height. The stand may then be supported on a revolving lazy-susan platform 21.

The stand further includes a plurality of clips disposed radially and spaced angularly around the periphery of the table top. The clip is shown constructed in the same manner as a conventional spring type clothes pin, and may be removable, but in the preferred form the clip leg 24 (FIG. 2) is secured to the under surfaceof the table top and thus when the outer ends are pressed toward each other the upper leg 26 will be moved away, from the top to' permit a cord to be held thereunder. -It is apparent that the clips could be replaced by simple radial projections around which a turn or two of the cord could be made, but the clips have been found to be the most satisfactory holding means.

The dimensions of the stand are not critical. The stand actually reduced to practice has a table top 12 with a 15 inch diameter and has a central opening 14 5 inches'in diameter. The cushion collar 18 has an insidediameter of 5 inches, an outside diameter of 9 inches and is 2 inc-hes high. The edges inside and outside should be rounded. The table top is supported by 18 inch legs, and preferably the stand is supported on a revolving means, such the lazy susan 21 to permit rotation when in use.

suspended the cord is secured by the clip 24 to the table top, the cloth top and periphery of the table top preventing abrasion of the cord. Not only does the styrofoam cushion collar 18 permit repeated insertion and removal of the needle 28, its surface also serves to hold the cord 1 in position. The above step is repeated for each of the cords 2, 3, 4, S, and 6 (see FIG. 1) and each cord will be radially and angularly spaced approximately 60 from the one next to it. The free ends of the six cords are now, in effect, within a well, and their free ends are gathered together and knotted, whereupon a weight 30 is attached at teh knot and preferably all six cords are then successively strung in vertical parallel relation through a single bead 100 (see FIG. 2). The weight 30 may be an ornamental clasp.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the cords may be considered as three pairs 1 and 2; 3 and 4; and 5 and 6. Cords 1 and 2 are initially criss-crossed in a horizontally run through a spherical bead 101 and each cord is then replaced on the collar cushion 18 in the position of the other, i.'e., the needle of cord 1 is now radially positioned in the starting position of cord 2 and the needle of cord 2 is now in the starting position of cord 1. The second pair of cords 3 and 4 are now criss-crossed through bead 102 and the needles radially transposed to the others position. The third pair of cords 5 and 6 are now criss-crossed through bead 109 and transposed radially at the table top in like manner to the earlier pairs. This step would be repeated for each pair of cords were more used.

It will now be seen from FIG. 3 that the pairing of cords becomes 5 and 2, 1 and 4, and 3 and-6. The respective pairs are now paralleled and vertically run through the beads 103, 104, and 105 and each needle is replaced in its previous position. At the next step the intiial pairs are again horizontally criss-crossed through beads 106, 107, and 108 and comparing beads 101 and 106 it will be seen that the criss-crossing has been reversed and all the cords will be in their initial positions. On the next vertical run in order to prevent a vertical bead from being directly over a horizontal *bead, the threading is now shifted 60? to pair 6 and 1; 2 and 3; 4 and 5; and each respective pair run vertically through the respective beads 110, 111, and 112.

It is thus seen that the string comprises successive horizontal rows of beads with horizontally oriented bores and beads with vertically oriented bores, and the vertical runs must always consist of the cords which be-' come paired by emerging from the facing ends of adjacent beads of the row below is becauseof the crisscrossing, or stated another way the pair of cords crisscrossed through a single bead are never paired for the next vertical run. As a result when the beads are in position on a completed string the beads of each successive row will tangentially engage and be centrally disposed relative to two beads of row below it. This is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein a three dimensional triangular effect is obtained.

FIG. 5 illustrates a string wherein four pairs of cords are used, and including sphericalbeads 40 with horizontally oriented bores and vertical beads 42 in the form of elongated ovals with vertically oriented bores. The resultant string is rectangular in cross section and each side is similar to the view illustrated.

From the foregoing itcan be seen that by varying the number of pairs of cords, but not less than three pairs, and by successively alternating horizontal crisscrossing runs and the parallel vertical runs, numerous varieties of strings may be produced, each of which has a three de'mensional effect.

It is also apparent that variations can be made; for example, there can be successive vertical runs between horizontal runs, or vice versa, or any combination of same,.and in all instances whenever a row of beads with horizontal bores and a row of beads with vertical bores succeed each other the beads of each row will be centered between those of the other row. It is necessary however that in all variations the cord extending from one end of a horizontal bead be paired with the cord projecting from the adjacent or facing end of the next horizontal bead.

It is also apparent that variations can be made in the size, shape and color of the beads used, as well as the number in each row. 7

The following is claimed:

' 1. A string of beads including a plurality of cords, not less than six, successive adjacent rows of beads, said rows being generally parallel and equal in number to half the cords, each of the beads in one said row having a passage therethrough arranged generally parallel to its row with two of said cords criss-crossed through the passage, each of the beads in another of said rows, adjacent to said one row, having a passage transverse to its row and with two of said cords emerging from facing passages in the one row running parallel therethrough, and the beads in each successive row being positioned substantially centrally relative to two mutually adjacent beads in the adjacent row.

2. A string of beads as defined in claim 1 wherein the beads are of like size. 4

3. A string of beads as defined in claim 1 wherein the beads of said one row are of like size and shape, and the beads of said other row are of like size and shape, but

differing in shape from those in said one row.

i 4 I t l 

1. A string of beads including a plurality of cords, not less than six, successive adjacent rows of beads, said rows being generally parallel and equal in number to half the cords, each of the beads in one said row having a passage therethrough arranged generally parallel to its row with two of said cords crisscrossed through the passage, each of the beads in another of said rows, adjacent to said one row, having a passage transverse to its row and with two of said cords emerging from facing passages in the one row running parallel therethrough, and the beads in each successive row being positioned substantially centrally relative to two mutually adjacent beads in the adjacent row.
 2. A string of beads as defined in claim 1 wherein the beads are of like size.
 3. A string of beads as defined in claim 1 wherein the beads of said one row are of like size and shape, and the beads of said other row are of like size and shape, but differing in shape from those in said one row. 